Posted by fossilman on Apr 12 2007 7:46AM - Its about damn time!!!!!!!!!!!! No green card,get the hell out of here!!!!

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Posted by nickelbed on Apr 12 2007 9:26AM - Its about time Mike Zimmerman stopped sneaking around.

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Posted by rick on Apr 12 2007 10:22AM - fossilman, when the truth comes out on this BS raid, will you take back your comment? talk about Nazi situation.

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Posted by no name on Apr 12 2007 10:59AM - They bring money to our town some don't have a problem with it

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Posted by Dan on Apr 12 2007 2:29PM - All of these 'brown skinned' employees had (and presented) proper documentation for employemnt. *IF* these documents are fraudulent, who(m) is responsible for verifying their authenticity? And at what cost to the affected parties ?
The REAL (yet intentionally ignored) issue may well be the compensation schedule: ALL of these employees were payed well-above the prevailing wages for this area of the country, with appropriate taxes being with-held and payed. Let's consider the impact of such a pay-schedule on the labor market and you can easily see how very large-scale [corporate] agriculture operators would be pressured to increase their own compensation schedules.
In a Republican-controlled 'economy' this is not only seen as a negative, but is considered purely evil and must be stopped immediately.
By eliminating(legally or otherwise) this "economic player" with the removal of all brown-skinned employees the downward pressure of labor-wages is maintained and the "free enterprise" impact of increased wages is quashed. This 'family operated' small scale operator is crippled and hopefully driven to bankruptcy; with the assets going on the auction-block to be absorbed by Corporate, anti family and anti family-farm, interests. Sending a message to all regional small-scale operators "DO NOT PAY MORE than the prevailing wage or you will be made to suffer"

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Posted by cowfacema on Apr 12 2007 4:19PM - There are so many pros and cons to this issue, however; the Zimmerman family could have avoided all of this by following procedures for a business. My husband has his own business. A form that has to be filled out is an I-9, stating if they are illegal and showing forms of identification before they are employed.

The drama will end and the Zimmermans will still have their illegal employees to continue on with the business not to mention the Parshall dairy which Mr. Zimmerman had a partnership in and lost.

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Posted by curious one on Apr 12 2007 11:11PM - To: Fossilman,I totally agree,IF,the facts of the warrant are substantiated,to: Nicklebed,I really don't know Zimmerman to know if he has been sneaking around,love yo hear more on this.To: Rick,If it was infact a "BS" raid,then I would agree,but I also feel at this stage that the Feds have alot more important things to do than stage a "BS" raid after an ongoing/lengthly investigation has shown at this point that these people were/are here illegally.To: noname.you should be ashamed of yourself for burying your head in the sand like that because you show your part of the OVERALL PROBLEM.To: Dan,I find it hard to side with you when I want to because your obviously living in an uninformed timewarp.And to: cowfacemama,I agree with you to a point,but let's go further and see if any of you agree with me,and I don't look on any of you impassionately or your comments.I just disagree.
I find it very hard in a County and Town as small as ours to think Mr. Zimmerman can't find good legal help and food for thought here is that in the past year,I have never seen an ad in the local paper seeking help for his operation,and I even went thru my old papers and looked,so correct me if I am wrong.
A 700 Cow operation is far from a small family business by any stretch of the imagination.
Again in a County and town as small as ours and as close to so many Border Patrol stations with telephones,it would seem that going a step further from the I-9 would have been to verify that the information given Mr. Zimmerman by his alleged illegals was valid,and therein the problem is solved before it ever arrises,or even a simple trip to the Sheriff's office or the Sheriff's substation at the Ranchouse resturant to ask Marv to verify the information as valid prior to hiring any of these alleged illegals.Fact is,many employers ask for a criminal/drivers history check prior to employment now adays and that is the new hires job to bring that to the employer.
Assuming they are legal does not make them so which puts the burden of proof on Mr. Zimmerman as the employer and as a responsible person and employer Mr. Zimmerman should be well aware of the consequences for hiring an illegal as it's only been in the news for years what those consequences are and even more so lately.The fact is that anyone can see is that a few illegals here and a few there have turned this economy upside down IN PART.Sure,many pay taxes etc,but for all those that do,there are ten fold that don't and are collecting the benefits we all have paid into.
Dan,since when is this a Republican Controlled Economy?,Take a real good look and you will find that anyone but the Democrats or Republicans control our economy.Do you know that China has investments in the Trillions in this country?,That's right,TRILLIONS.And where did they get that money?,Well,look at the Walmarts for a starter.Now there's a business that many say pays substandard wages but you rarely (altho it has happened) see Walmart getting nailed for hiring illegals yet we all (and I to am guilty) walk out of Walmart on a weekly basis with something made in China,SO IN FACT,we control much of our own economy by the way and by the places we spend our money.We don't send our American dollars to our relatives south of the border.
I wonder if your mistaking the Republican control of our dollars to the spending of billions yearly on an "oil war" in another country,now there I agree with you as we have no control over that do we,but that is another subject.
Fact is everyone in Mchenry County has seen or interacted with these alleged illegals at one time or another so do we succumb to allowing it here in our small county or do we say NO,NO to illegals and even NO,to employers that allow illegals in our county.Sounds to me like someone already did say NO,or the Feds wouldn't have been here.
Look around you,There are only so many high paying oil rig jobs for our kids ect. and if you look around at the pay rates/housing/etc. in the rest of the country,they aren't that great anywhere.Based on what housing/tax/etc costs are here compared to elsewhere,we have it pretty easy.
Seems to me and not so much in Mr.Zimmerman's defense is that the only reason he can't find local help is because he either pays so very little,he's hard to work for,he doesn't advertise for the jobs or sadly to say,maybe we have spoiled our kids so much,they don't want to get dirty anymore and work,look around and think about it.Fact is,every dollar you have in your wallet,you control and every member of every office in this county,we control by our votes or again sadly to say,those of us that do vote.Maybe we can feel we have no control over the rest of the country,but we can control our own county,so it's up to you and us what Mchenry county becomes.Don't be mad when the Feds come in here to do a job that an employer or county wouldn't do,as this should be an eye opener to us to decide what we really want our county to become.Thankyou

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Posted by Andrew on Apr 13 2007 1:09AM - As it appears we have a little political manouvering going on both legal and BS. I am inclined to take everyones opinion on this issue, and by a concencus I am considering a lemon in this picture. The global corps are in my opinion regionalizing production both by state and country, farming, manufacturing and power. If the corps weren't raiding piecemeal, we would be all up in arms, instead we seem to individually take it up the wazzoo, as we are strategically picked off. With large scale mechanization and real mobile factory processing on the way, I wouldn't put it past our own legal system to be in on the game, the scary part of all this is these future processing techniques are pretty much peopleless, just bean counters and button pushers. If the technique of dumb tv, and bad news didn't have us fighting each other and spouting idiot opinions. I consider many of the opinions here so far are on the money.

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Posted by IMO on Apr 13 2007 11:15AM - IF they are not here legally they need to go!! if they are here legally than there is no issue..

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Posted by WWJD on Apr 13 2007 6:33PM - We have all seen the bracelets that say What Would Jesus Do (WWJD) I believe he would say to us let those without sin throw the first stone. Lets all think back to when our ansestors came to America the land of opportunity. Unless you are native american we all come from people who immigrated to America. Where would we be at if back then America would have said we don't want you here like we are saying to these Mexican immigrants. We would not have the freedoms we have now. Why did our families immigrate to America? For the same reason the Mexicans want to come to America so they can have a better life for their families. I know if things were reversed and Mexico had abetter way of life I would do what I had to do to make abetter way of life for my family. As far as you who say Mr. Zimmerman would get more Americans to work for him if he paid better I would like to know where you get your information or are you just pulling it out of the sky. I know for a fact that these dairies are paying $10 per hour plus room and board. They also supply them with meat. At McDonalds you can make $6.50 per hour so why don't these people work at dairies. Could it be that they chose not to because at the end of the day they are covered in cow manure. These dairies would rather employ whites because of the language barrier. They have all had whites working for them but they don't last long because they don't want to get dirty. Someone said that Mr. Zimmerman is getting rich milking cows apperently this person does not know production agriculture. Nobody is getting rich in agriculture.

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Posted by f_16falcon on Apr 15 2007 10:30PM - The difference between (most of) our ancestors is that they came here legally and with documentation. I have no problem with an immigrant wanting to make better for his/her family. America does have a lot of opportunity for them. BUT, you need to do it like many before them and stand in line. My ancestors were poor, oppressed, and needed sactuary in the US. They endured many years of waiting to get in. I hold no pity to anyone who can't wait their turn.

As for these employers like Zimmerman, I think we all may be jumping to a bit of a conclusion here. I dont think there has been a definitive say as to whether or not Zimmerman truly thought their documents were real or not. We should give the benefit of the doubt.

As far as the "brutality" of the ICE agents; oh cmon. If your son isn't cooperating and not listening to federal agents with guns (and possibly harboring a room in which some immigrants were hiding), OF COURSE you deserve to get your ass kicked. Screw around, win a prize.

The thing I am glad I have NOT heard out of this story is the quote; "They were doing a job that Americans wouldn't"... well, the previous poster eluded to this. STOP WITH THAT FRIGGIN QUOTE! Its nonsense and a cop-out. Americans would gladly do a job like this, just not for that pay. Just like construction, food service, ect. Employers hold a small amount in culpability when it comes to this. Granted, it may be tough times for small business, but they are just perpetuating a culture of poverty. So just because Zimmerman paid these people $10 and hour vs $6.50, he is suddenly a saint? I dunno. This is a tough issue.

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Posted by rob on Apr 17 2007 6:54AM - I'm an employer/contractor. I am a firm believer that we employers need to be held accountable for our hiring practices. Ignorance is not an excuse when it come to hiring illegals. The way the story reads, we are supposed to feel sorry for Zimmerman. If he can't play by the rules, he should close the doors of his operation.

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Posted by tattew on Apr 17 2007 2:52PM - Why does everyone focus on the "illegals" from south of our borders? What about the ones from the north. I never hear about raids that nab "illegal Canadians." They're the ones everybody should be wary of; bringing things like Loonies, Canadian beer, and the worst of all, the metric system.

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Posted by An American on Apr 18 2007 2:22PM - tattew, are you serious!? The difference is, the illegals from "south" come into this country wanting EVERYTHING good it has to offer, but don't feel they need to play by the rules! I am all for helping someone make a better life for themselves but you can sure bet is is not at the expense of my childrens future! I'm tired of paying for these people to live here. I pay high enough taxes and I don't want some illegal popping kids out so I can pay for them too! We have enough trash in this country to pay for why pay for another countries trash too?! Get them out of here and it's BS that Zimmerman "thought" they were legal. If your that ignorant you shouldn't be running a business anyway hopefully we'll see those cows on the auction block! It's common sense, America!

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Posted by Towner Local on Apr 19 2007 8:26AM - I am not sorry for the Zimmermans, nor are many people in the community. While he claims to pay 35,000 per year, there are many that doubt it. The conditions which these people were living in are poor as well, I have been there, I have seen it first hand. I would say that maybe he paid 35,000 to all 13 (shared), but not 35,000 to each of them. There are other major dairys in the area, and they do not seem to have a shortage of local labor.....makes you stop and question Mr. Zimmerman.

He doesnt support the local economy, he ships product afar and buys from abroad. While that is not illegal, it does prevent people from wanting to help him or feel sorry for him.

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Posted by Just Me on Apr 20 2007 4:36PM - So these illegals applied for jobs with him? How did they find him? If he thinks he'll have to sell because he can't get the work done now, that tells me most of his employees were illegals. What are the chances of these people happening across this dairy farm in Towner, ND? He "thought" their papers were legal - he what? I guess that's what he gets for thinking - he should KNOW!

Sounds more like he found them so he could pay them crap wages, give them crappy living conditions and turn a good profit. I too doubt he was paying 35000 to each - to all 13 would be more believable.

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Posted by fossilman on Apr 21 2007 9:11AM - Some Federal charges are being given to those Illegals............They better get prison time too-They deserve it bigtime.....No green card,stay the HELL out..........

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Posted by Someone who knows on Apr 21 2007 11:37AM - You people don't have a clue. I also managed adairy. I started local Yokels well above prevailing wages and they last, at most a month. Then they begin to not show up, call in sick, fake a workmen's comp. claim or best case scenario..simply leave. They would rather collect unemployment, welfare, or disability. I would bet that anyone of you nay sayers wouldn't last a day! I have been to Zimmerman's operation and he treats his employees like family members. The trailers (at No Charge) he provides are very nice) Did you People know that if an applicant displays proper paperwork, it is discrimination NOT to hire them if they are as capable as the rest of the applicants. I (and Zimmerman's) collect all necessary paperwork when hiring, we withold S.S. and other federal taxes and pay them to the Federal Government. What would happen to our Social Security Administration if all the illegals that are paying in were deported. (Remember...They will never collect on their 7.65% of Gross Wages)

I cant' wait for the day when our country abandons a cheap food policy (Get ready.. the day is Coming) and you people will spend 25%-50% (like the rest of the world) of your gross pay to feed your overweight, self pitying selves.

If you have the mental fortitude, go apply at a large dairy. Starting wages will be above the prevailing wages at other unskilled jobs. I guarantee it. If you are worth your salt..you will advance fast to management. We are always looking for good people. English reading and writing and a good work ethic is a plus..you should have no problems moving up fast. Otherwise, I guess you can all continue to collect off of the Federal Government and shove cheap food into your mouths and complain about how the opportunity has left this country.

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Posted by Towner Area Local on Apr 23 2007 12:37PM - I hope that the Zimmermans face time too. Like one said, how does a person just happen to end up in Towner, ND that is illegal? Zimmerman is bringing them in! We know that. SO why not stop the source of the illegals? Hit the employer!

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Posted by ND born and raised on Apr 24 2007 6:21PM - I have met many of the people employed by at Sandhills Dairy and I have seen the homes the Zimmerman’s offer for their employees. The Zimmerman’s are great people and are very good to their employees. If the employees didn’t want to be there, they wouldn’t be. It’s as simple as that. Just as one said above, no matter the pay you offer people to work on a dairy farm and milk cows for a living, there are very very few people in this stuck up nation that will ACTUALLY do that job and put forth the effort it needs and deserves. Would YOU milk cows for a living? K, then don’t tell the Zimmerman family and the people who enjoy their job there that they can’t.

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